Crafting With Herbs

Herbs have numerous uses, including cooking and home remedies. But when a crafter sees herbs, she sees a treasure trove of potential projects. Herbs are great for home décor, and the fragrant ones have a nice, natural scent that can't be duplicated with synthetic air fresheners.

Crafting with herbs isn't complicated, but it helps to have some basic knowledge about them before you begin. Here are some tips to help you get started:

* Harvest herbs early in the morning, right after the dew has dried up. This will prevent them from wilting.

* For most projects, you'll need to dry the herbs first. Long-stemmed herbs can be dried by putting them in small bundles, tying the ends of the stems together and hanging them in a dry place out of direct sunlight. Putting a paper bag over them and poking some air holes in it will keep them from getting dusty and catch any fallen leaves. Those with shorter stems can be dried by laying the leaves on a clean screen in the same type of place. Drying by these methods can take anywhere from one to three weeks.

* If you need your herbs dried faster, you can dry them in the oven or microwave. Put them in the oven at a very low temperature for 8 to 10 hours, or in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. These methods tend to make the herbs' scent diminish more quickly, so if you're using them for fragrance, it's better to dry them using the slower method.

* If you have a specific project in mind, lay long-stemmed herbs out in the pattern you plan to use before you dry them. Then tie them up in bundles that you can use without taking them apart. This will help prevent them from crumbling or falling apart.

* Some good crafts to make with dried herbs include wreaths, candle rings, and other home décor items. Fragrant herbs are good for making potpourri, and you can press herbs to use for scrapbooking.

* It's possible to use live herbs to make a wreath. This is done using a wire wreath frame, sphagnum moss, and young herb plants. The herbs are placed on a layer of the moss, covered with more moss, and carefully wrapped with wire. This is a great way to keep fresh herbs close at hand for cooking.

Herbs provide us with numerous seasonings and natural medicines, as well as a variety of crafting options. Using herbs in your projects will add a touch of nature and fragrance to your home, and these projects make wonderful gifts as well. Planting an herb garden can keep these wonderfully beneficial plants as close as your back yard or windowsill.